THE PRESIDENT: Please be seated. Good evening and "Ramadan Karim."
Welcome to the White House. Laura and I are really glad you're here. This
is the sixth year that we have been pleased to host an Iftaar at the White
House. We're honored to be with you and once again we're honored to pay
tribute to the month of Ramadan.

Islam is a religion that brings hope and comfort to more than a billion
people around the world. It has transcended racial and ethnic divisions.
It has given birth to a rich culture of learning and literature and
science. And tonight we honor the traditions of a great faith by hosting
the Iftaar here at the White House.

I'm so pleased our Secretary of State, Condi Rice, has joined us. Thank
you, Madam Secretary. I'm pleased that Dr. Elias Zerhouni, who is the
Director of the NIH, is with us. Good to see you, Elias. I thank Imam
Eid, from the Islamic Institute of Boston, is with us. I welcome all the
ambassadors and other members of the Diplomatic Corps.

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Muslim calendar. For Muslims in
America and around the world, Ramadan is a special time of prayer and
fasting, contemplation of God's greatness, and charity and service to those
in need. And for people of all faiths, it is a good time to reflect on the
values we hold in common, including love of family, gratitude to God, the
importance of community, and a commitment to tolerance and religious
freedom.

America is a land of many faiths, and we welcome and honor the Muslim faith
in our nation. Our society is enriched by our Muslim citizens. Your
commitment to your faith reminds us all of the precious gift of religious
freedom in our country. America is a more hopeful nation because of the
talents and generosity and compassion of our Muslim citizens.

Tonight we have with us a group of special guests -- American Muslims who
are serving our country. We have with us New York City police officers and
a EMT worker who risked their lives to save their fellow citizens on 9/11;
a military doctor and a member of the Navy's Chaplain Corps; members of our
Foreign Service; and military veterans who have served in Afghanistan and
Iraq to protect our country and help those nations build free and
democratic futures.

One of our guests is Farooq Muhammed. Farooq is the son of Pakistani
immigrants, and was born and raised in Brooklyn. He spent the past decade
with the New York City Fire Department, first as an emergency medical
technician and now as a paramedic. Farooq was at the World Trade Center on
9/11, treating victims when the towers collapsed -- he narrowly escaped
death himself. He also recently volunteered in the mountains of Kashmir,
where he helped treat the victims of last year's devastating South Asian
earthquake. Farooq's courage and compassion represent the best of the
American spirit.

Paramedic Muhammed is a proud Muslim; he is a patriotic American. And
those are characteristics he shares with the other special American guests
gathered in this room. All of you bring credit to your faith. You make
America a better and stronger country, and we're honored by your presence
tonight. (Applause.)

The United States also appreciates the many Muslim nations who stand with
us in the war on terror -- some of whom are represented here tonight. You
know that the majority of the victims of the terrorists have been innocent
Muslims, and many of you have seen terrorist violence in your own cities
and your streets. We welcome you here. We are proud to work with you to
defeat the terrorists and extremists, and help bring a brighter future to
millions of Muslim people throughout the world who yearn for moderation and
peace.

On this special evening, we celebrate the millions of Muslims that we are
proud to call American citizens. We honor the many Islamic nations that
America is proud to call friends. And we renew the ties of friendship that
should bind all who trace their faith back to God's call on Abraham.

Laura and I are grateful that you're here. Once again, I wish you a
blessed Ramadan. And now Imam Eid will say the blessing.